Display Device and Interfaces for Cryogenic Devices

ABSTRACT

The disclosure describes a cryogenic device with a display device for displaying one of a plurality of user-interfaces associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. The cryogenic device is configured to: generate an initial user-interface for display on the display device; determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state; generate, in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, instructions for rendering a first user-interface, wherein the first user-interface is associated with the first state; and cause the display device to display the first user-interface. In this way, the cryogenic device may have a dynamic user interface that is configured to response to states of the cryogenic device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/096,491 filed Nov. 12, 2020 (Allowed); which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Appln No. 62/940,985 filed Nov. 27, 2019;the disclosures which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

RELATED FIELDS

Devices, systems, and methods for cooling tissue for therapeuticpurposes, including nerves for treating pain.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is generally directed to medical devices,systems, and methods for cryotherapy. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a cryogenic device for cryogenically coolingtarget tissues of a patient so as to degenerate, inhibit, remodel, orotherwise affect a target tissue to achieve a desired change in itsbehavior or composition. Cryogenic cooling of neural tissues has beenshown to be effective in treating a variety of indications includingpain (e.g., occipital and other neuralgias, neuromas, osteoarthritispain), spasticity, and joint stiffness, among others. For example,cooling neural tissues has been found to degenerate or inhibit nervesthat are instrumental in causing these conditions. Cryogenic cooling hasalso been employed to address cosmetic conditions, for example, byinhibiting undesirable and/or unsightly effects on the skin (such aslines, wrinkles, or cellulite dimples) or on other surrounding tissue.

In light of the above, cryogenic devices with needle probes have emergedas a mode of therapeutically cooling target tissues for treating avariety of indications. The needle probes of such devices are typicallyinserted into a patient's skin adjacent to a target tissue. Somecryogenic probes may include a cryogen that may be either injected intothe target tissue via openings in needles of the needle probe, such thatthe target tissue is cooled directly by the cryogen. Other cryogenicprobes may include closed needle tips, in which case the needles may becooled (e.g., by a flow of the cryogen), and the target tissue adjacentto the cooled needles may thereby be cooled by conduction. Cryogenicprobes have proved to be effective in creating cryozones within apatient at or around target tissues with precision, convenience, andreliability. A cryozone may be a volume of tissue that is cooled by oneor more needles of a cryogenic probe (e.g., a volume of tissue near oraround a distal portion of the needles). For example, a cryozone may bea volume of tissue that is cooled so as to freeze the tissue within thevolume (e.g., the cryozone may be defined by an approximately 0° C. (orother suitable temperature) isotherm that may form around a needle ofthe cryogenic probe).

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to improved medical devices, systems, andmethods. Many of the devices, systems, and methods described herein willbe beneficial for cryotherapy using a cryogenic device.

In some embodiments, a cryogenic device may include a handpiece capableof being held by a user. The handpiece may include a cryogen pathwayconfigured to conduct a cryogen toward a needle probe including one ormore needles, wherein the cryogen may be configured to delivercryotherapy to a target tissue via the one or more needles. Thecryogenic device may include a display device configured to display oneof a plurality of user-interfaces, the plurality of user-interfacesbeing associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. Thecryogenic device may also include a processor coupled to the displaydevice. The processor may be configured to generate an initialuser-interface for display on the display device. The processor may beconfigured to determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state.The processor may be configured to generate, in response to determiningthat the cryogenic device is in the first state, instructions forrendering a first user-interface, where the first user-interface isassociated with the first state. The processor may be configured tocause the display device to display the first user-interface.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thedisplay device may be disposed on the handpiece of the cryogenic device.The display device may be an LCD or OLED screen.

The first user-interface may include an icon field including one or moreicons indicating information associated with the cryogenic device or aselected cryotherapy program. The first user-interface may furtherinclude a status element including a textual description of a status ofthe cryogenic device. The selected cryotherapy program may specify, forexample, a desired cryozone volume and/or a number of treatment cycles.Further, in some instances the textual description may be scrolledthrough the status element or broken into smaller messages that arealternately displayed in sequence.

The plurality of cryogenic device states may include a cycle state,where the cycle state is associated with the cryogenic device preparingfor or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle. The plurality ofcryogenic device states may also include a charging state, where thecharging state is associated with a battery of the cryogenic devicebeing charged. The plurality of cryogenic device states may also includea standard state, where the standard state is associated with thecryogenic device being turned on and not in the cycling state or thecharging state.

The cycle state may be associated with a cycle user-interface, where thecycle user-interface may include an enlarged progress element indicatinga progress of a treatment cycle. The enlarged progress element may, forexample, include a count-down timer (or a count-up timer). The cycleuser-interface may further include a status element. The charging statemay be associated with a charging user-interface, where the charginguser-interface may include an enlarged battery indicator element. Thestandard state may be associated with a standard user-interface, wherethe standard user-interface may include one or more of a batteryindicator element indicating a battery status, a probe descriptorelement indicating information about the needle probe, a cryogen statusindicator indicating an amount of usable cryogen in a current cryogencartridge, a cycle counter element indicating a number of treatmentcycles remaining or a number of treatment cycles performed with acurrent cryogen cartridge, and a status element for indicating a statusof the cryogenic device.

The plurality of cryogenic device states may include an error stateassociated with an error user-interface, where the error user-interfacemay include a first portion including an icon indicating a particularerror and a second portion including an enlarged status elementindicating the particular error. The first portion and the secondportion may be non-overlapping portions of the error user-interface.

The cycle user-interface and the standard user-interface may be in afirst orientation, and the charging user-interface may be in a secondorientation, the first orientation being different from the secondorientation. For example, the first orientation may be a 180-degreerotation of the second orientation.

The processor may be further configured to receive data from one or moreaccelerometers of the cryogenic device. The processor may determine,based on the received data, an orientation of the cryogenic device. Theprocessor may orient the first user-interface in a manner consistentwith the determined orientation of the cryogenic device.

In some embodiments, one or more methods may be employed to display adynamic user interface on the described cryogenic device. One suchmethod may include, by a processor associated with the cryogenic device,generating an initial user-interface for display on a display deviceassociated with the cryogenic device. The processor may determine thatthe cryogenic device is in a first state, where the first state is oneof a plurality of cryogenic device states. The processor may generate,in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the firststate, instructions for rendering a first user-interface, where thefirst user-interface is associated with the first state and is one of aplurality of user-interfaces. The processor may cause the display deviceto display the first user-interface.

Another such method may include displaying an initial user-interface ona display device associated with the cryogenic device. The method mayfurther include determining that the cryogenic device is in one of aplurality of cryogenic device states including a cycle state, a chargingstate, and a standard state. The method may include generating, inresponse to determining that the cryogenic device is in one of theplurality of cryogenic states, instructions for rendering one of aplurality of user-interfaces, the plurality of user-interfaces beingassociated with the plurality of cryogenic device states. The method mayinclude causing the display device to display one of the plurality ofuser-interfaces

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a cryogenic device includinga needle probe having one or more needles.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example needle probe.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example embodiment of a cryogenic device beingdocked onto a charging device.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cryogenic device coupled to a display device,where the display device is mounted or otherwise disposed on thecryogenic device.

FIG. 3D illustrates a schematic diagram of an example system includingthe display device.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate two example standard user-interfaces, which maybe associated with a standard state of the cryogenic device.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate two example cycle user-interfaces, which may beassociated with a cycle state of the cryogenic device.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate two example error user-interfaces, which may beassociated with an error state of the cryogenic device.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate two example charging user-interfaces, which maybe associated with a charging state of the cryogenic device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method for displaying a dynamic userinterface on a cryogenic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes display interfaces to be used inassociation with cryogenic devices that may be used to deliver acryotherapy to patients. In some embodiments, the described cryogenicdevices may include needles for delivering cryotherapy subcutaneously totarget particular tissues for treating a variety of conditions. Forexample, the cryogenic devices may include needles that are configuredto be inserted near peripheral nerves to deliver cryotherapy to theperipheral nerves to treat pain, spasticity, or other such conditionsthat may be improved by such therapy. More information about the use ofcryotherapy for alleviation of pain or spasticity, may be found in U.S.Pat. No. 8,298,216 filed Nov. 14, 2008; U.S. Pat. No. 9,610,112 filedMar. 18, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,789 filed Mar. 13, 2017; and U.S.Patent Publn No. 2019/0038459 filed Sep. 14, 2018, the full disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for allpurposes. The cryogenic devices may also be used for prophylactictreatment such as disruption or prevention of neuromas, for example, asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,813 filed Mar. 14, 2016, the fulldisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

As cryotherapy has become more prevalent and as its therapeutic effectshave become realized for a number of indications, improvements tocryogenic devices to facilitate the use of such devices, and therebyenhance cryotherapy, have become necessary. In particular, userinterfaces provided by current cryogenic devices are often lacking inthat they do not effectively convey relevant information to operators ofsuch devices, and as such may result in non-optimal use by theoperators. The user interfaces are often not intuitive and may notpresent information in an accessible manner, sometimes causing evenwell-trained operators to misunderstand or disregard relevantinformation that the cryogenic devices may be trying to communicate. Toaddress this problem, the present disclosure provides improved userinterfaces for a cryogenic device that displays information effectivelyand intuitively.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a cryogenic device 100including a needle probe 110 having one or more needles 115. As shown inthe illustrated example embodiment, the cryogenic device 100 may be aself-contained handpiece suitable for being grasped and manipulated byan operator's hand. In other embodiments, the cryogenic device mayinclude physically separated components. For example, the cryogenicdevice may include a handpiece including a needle probe and a cryogencartridge that is separated from the handpiece. In some embodiments, thecryogen cartridge 130 may be a disposable cartridge filled with acryogen (e.g., nitrous oxide, fluorocarbon refrigerants, and/or carbondioxide). In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the cryogenicdevice 100 may include a probe receptacle 170 configured to receive aneedle probe 110. In some embodiments, the probe receptacle 170 may beconfigured to couple the needle probe 110 to a cryogen cartridge via acryogen pathway (not illustrated).

FIG. 2 illustrates an example needle probe 110. In some embodiments, theneedle probe 110 may include one or more needles 115 suited forpenetration into a patient's skin adjacent to a target tissue (e.g.,nerve tissue). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the needle probe110 may include three needles 115. Each of the needles of the needleprobe 110 may have needle lumens disposed therein (not illustrated). Insome embodiments, the needles 115 may have closed tips without anydistal openings, such that they do not allow for the ejection of cryogenfrom the distal end of the needles 115. In these embodiments, theneedles 115 themselves are cooled and adjacent tissue is thereby cooledby conduction. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may include aprobe extension 119 that is configured to be securable to the probereceptacle 170. When the needle probe is secured to the probereceptacle, the probe extension extends proximally toward the proximalend of the cryogenic device. cryogen pathway (for illustrative purposes,proximal and distal directions are indicated in FIG. 1 ). ReferencingFIG. 2 , the probe extension 119 may have a probe lumen (notillustrated) disposed therein, the probe lumen being an elongate elementthat extends from a proximal end to a distal end. When the needle probeis secured to the probe receptacle, the probe lumen may be fluidicallycoupled to the cryogen pathway. The probe lumen may also be coupled tothe needle lumens of the needles 115 at the distal end of the cryogenicdevice, such that a cryogen may be allowed to pass through the probelumen and into the needle lumens (e.g., to cool the needle tips, whichmay then cool a target tissue to create a cryozone).

In some embodiments, the one or more needles 115 may be inserted intoand beyond a skin of the patient such that distal portions of theneedles 115 may be adjacent to a target tissue (e.g., nerve tissue). Insome embodiments, once the needles 115 are positioned, an operator maysubmit an input to the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., by actuating auser-input button, tapping a user-interface element on a touchscreen,etc.) to cause a controller to open a supply valve, thereby enabling acryogen to flow from a cryogen cartridge to lumens of the needles 115via a cryogen pathway. The distal portions of the needles 115 may becooled by the cryogen flow and may create a cooling zone around thetarget tissue.

In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be a smart device thatincludes a first processor (e.g., located within the handpiece and apartfrom the needle probe 110) to assist the operator with performing atreatment. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may be a smartprobe. In these embodiments, the needle probe 110 may include a printedcircuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA of the needle probe 110 mayinclude an onboard processor. In some embodiments, the PCBA may alsoinclude a memory component. The PCBA may further include one or moreconnectors (e.g., a card edge connector) that electrically couple theneedle probe 110 to the remainder of the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., thehandpiece portion). For example, when a needle probe is received by theprobe receptacle 170, a portion of the PCBA 118 may be received by aport in the handpiece portion.

Once the PCBA 118 of the needle probe 110 is connected to the handpieceportion, the needle probe 110 may be able to transmit and/or receiveinformation to/from the handpiece portion (e.g., via its processor). Insome embodiments, the needle probe 110 may transmit a probe descriptorthat may, among other things, identify a corresponding probe type of theneedle probe. For example, the probe descriptor may identify the numberof needles (e.g., a single-needle probe, a three-needle probe, afive-needle probe), the lengths of needles, the configuration of needles(e.g., a rectangular array, a square array, elliptical, circular,triangular, a three-dimensional shape such as an inverted pyramidshape), or any other suitable characteristics of the needle probe. Inthese embodiments, the first processor may be further configured todetermine, based on the received probe descriptor information, that thedetachable needle probe is of a particular probe type of a plurality ofprobe types. In some embodiments, the probe descriptor may includeinformation about the needle probe 110 that may be used to derivetreatment-related information.

For example, the probe descriptor information may include an averagecryogen flow rate for an associated needle probe 110, which may be usedby the first processor (e.g., on the handpiece) to calculate an amountof cryogen that has been used and/or an amount that is remaining in thecryogen cartridge 130. The first processor may calculate these amountsbased on the average cryogen flow rate and the amount of time a supplyvalve for releasing cryogen has been opened. As another example, needledimensions, the number of needles, and other suitable parametersassociated with the needle probe 110 may be used to derive cryogen flowamounts, cryogen amount used during a cycle, a cryogen amount remainingin a cartridge, and/or any other suitable treatment-related information.As another example, the probe descriptor information may includeinformation that may be used by other treatment functionalities such asa skin warmer (e.g., a resistive heating element that is configured tobe near or adjacent to the skin during treatment) that is configured toapply heat energy to a skin surface to reduce or prevent collateraltissue damage. In this example, a particular probe may send probedescriptor information that may be used to determine parameters foroperating the skin warmer (e.g., power level, duration of heating,etc.).

More information about cryogenic devices with skin warmers may be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,813 filed Mar. 14, 2016, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Any of thisinformation may be shown on any suitable user interface of display(e.g., in real-time as a treatment is being performed) associated withthe cryogenic device 100 (e.g., an LCD screen of the cryogenic device100). In some embodiments, a treatment recommendation may be determinedand shown on the display. For example, a particular needle probe 110 maybe associated with a particular type of treatment, and a treatmentrecommendation may thus be displayed based on a determination that theparticular needle probe 110 has been inserted. An operator may thenperform a treatment based on this recommendation. In some embodiments,the probe descriptor may include “expiration” details of the needleprobe 110 (e.g., the needle probe 110 may be configured to expire aftera set number of treatment cycles for safety reasons). More informationabout smart cryogenic devices and smart probes may be found in U.S. Pat.No. 10,130,409 filed Nov. 20, 2018, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety for all purposes. As another example, the probedescriptor information may include information relating to parameters oftreatment cycles generally or of different phases of treatment cyclesassociated with a cryotherapy that may be performed using the associatedneedle probe 110. An example treatment cycle may include a pre-treatmentwarming period during which a heating element is warmed, a cryogendelivery period during which cryogen is delivered to the one or moreneedles of the needle probe 110, and a recovery period following thecryogen delivery period during which cryogen is not delivered. In thisexample, the probe descriptor information for a particular needle probe110 may specify a duration for each of these periods. More informationabout treatment cycles may be found in U.S. Patent Publn No.2019/0038459 filed Sep. 14, 2018, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

In some embodiments, the first processor may receive any other suitableinformation (e.g., from one or more sensors associated with the cryogencartridge 130)—such as the amount of cryogen remaining (or at least theavailable useful cryogen) within the cryogen cartridge 130 once it ispositioned in a cartridge holder.

In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be rechargeable. Forexample, the cryogenic device 100 may include one or more rechargeablebatteries that may be recharged by coupling the cryogenic device 100 toa charging device. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example embodiment of acryogenic device 100 being docked onto a charging device 330. Asillustrated, the charging device 330 and the cryogenic device 100 may beshaped such that the cryogenic device 100 is adapted for being dockedonto the charging device 330, which may charge the cryogenic device 100.In the illustrated example, the handpiece portion of the cryogenicdevice 100 is configured to rest substantially horizontally (or along anaxis along which the cryogenic device extends) on a charging cradleformed by the charging device 330 to receive charging energy. Thecharging device 330 may be configured to be plugged into an electricalsource. Alternatively or additionally, the charging device 330 mayitself include one or more batteries that may be used to supply energyto the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, the charging devicemay be a wireless charger, and the cryogenic device 100 may be chargedwirelessly when it is within range.

In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be coupled to adisplay device. FIG. 3C illustrates a cryogenic device 100 coupled to adisplay device 150 (e.g., an LCD screen, an OLED screen, etc.), wherethe display device 150 is mounted or otherwise disposed on the cryogenicdevice 100. In some embodiments, the display device 150 may display auser-interface that is capable of presenting a variety of relevantinformation to the operator before, during, and/or after treatment. Forexample, the display device 150 may present information about a needleprobe 110 that is currently positioned within the probe receptacle 170(e.g., information derived from a probe descriptor received from theneedle probe 110, or any other suitable information described herein).This information may be presented in real-time as a treatment is beingperformed.

In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be associated with aplurality of cryogenic device states. These states may define a mode orcondition of the cryogenic device 100 at a given time. For example, thecryogenic device 100 may be in a “cycle state.” The cycle state may beassociated with the cryogenic device 100 preparing for or performing aparticular cryotherapy treatment cycle. Cryotherapy treatments mayinclude one or more treatment cycles during which a tissue of a patientis cooled to effect a therapeutic benefit, with each treatment cyclelasting for a prescribed amount of time. As another example, thecryogenic device 100 may be in a “charging state.” The charging statemay be associated with a battery of the cryogenic device 100 beingcharged. As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in an“error state.” The error state may be associated with a device conditionwhere an error has been identified for the cryogenic device 100,rendering the cryogenic device 100 unusable or non-optimal. As anotherexample, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a “stand-by state.” Thestand-by state may be associated with a power-saving mode, where thecryogenic device 100 may be ON, but many of its functions are turned offor throttled (e.g., the brightness of the display device 150 may bereduced). As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a“standard state.” The standard state may describe a condition where thecryogenic device 100 is ON and ready for use, without being associatedwith any other special conditions or modes. For example, the standardstate may be associated with the cryogenic device 100 being turned ONand not in any of the other states (e.g., the cycling state, thecharging state, the error state). Although particular states aredescribed herein, the disclosure contemplates any suitable number ofstates associated with any suitable modes or conditions.

In some embodiments, the display device 150 may be configured to displayone of a plurality of user-interfaces. Each of the plurality ofuser-interfaces may be associated with a plurality of cryogenic devicestates. For example, a particular user-interface may be associated witha particular state of the cryogenic device 100. As another example, aparticular user-interface may be associated with a subset of states ofthe cryogenic device 100. Although particular user-interfaces aredescribed herein, the disclosure contemplates any suitable number ofuser-interfaces associated with any suitable cryogenic device states.For example, the cryogenic device 100 may have different treatmentmodes, and these treatment modes may have different associateduser-interfaces.

FIG. 3D illustrates a schematic diagram of an example system includingthe display device 150. In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100may include a first processor 310 that may be coupled to the displaydevice. For example, the first processor 310 may be the first processordescribed above, which may be within the handpiece portion of thecryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3D,the cryogenic device 100 may also include a second processor 320 (e.g.,the second processor described above, which may be associated with theneedle probe 110) that may be coupled to the processor 310. The firstprocessor 310 may be configured to generate user-interfaces that may bedisplayed on the display device 150. For example, the first processor310 may generate an initial user-interface for display on the displaydevice 150. This initial user-interface may or may not be based on astate of the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, a displayprocessor (not shown) may be used to separately handle display-relatedtasks. For example, the display device 150 may include a displayprocessor for handling tasks such as rotation of a displayed userinterface, scrolling of a displayed user interface, switching betweentwo or more interfaces, or any other suitable tasks. Although thedisclosure describes many of the functions being performed by an elementdescribed as “a processor,” the term “processor” as used in thisdisclosure encompasses any number of processors.

In some embodiments, a processor (e.g., the processor 310) may beconfigured to determine a state of the cryogenic device 100. Theprocessor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a firststate. Each state may be associated with one or more indicators, and theprocessor 310 may determine a state of the cryogenic device 100 based onthese indicators. For example, the processor 310 may receive or accesssensor data (e.g., from one or more accelerometers on the cryogenicdevice 100) to determine an orientation of the cryogenic device 100, andthe processor 310 may use this determined orientation to determine thatthe cryogenic device 100 is in a particular state. In this example, theprocessor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in acharging state when it is determined that the cryogenic device 100 is ina horizontal orientation (e.g., in an orientation for docking the deviceto the charging device 330) and when a battery of the cryogenic device100 is being charged. Alternatively, the processor 310 may determinethat that the cryogenic device 100 is in a charging state simply upondetecting that the battery is being charged. As another example, theprocessor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a cyclestate when it determines that cryogen is being released from a cryogencartridge (e.g., as determined by one or more pressure sensors detectinga pressure change from the outflow of cryogen, one or more temperaturesensors detecting a temperature decrease along a cryogen pathway fromthe flow of cryogen, one or more sensors detecting the actuation of anuser-input element such as a button for cryogen release, etc.). Asanother example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenicdevice 100 is in an error state when an error has been determined (e.g.,when a connection to a needle probe is faulty, when there isinsufficient charge to perform a treatment cycle, etc.).

In some embodiments, a processor (e.g., the processor 310) may beconfigured to generate instructions for rendering a user-interface basedon a determined state of the cryogenic device 100. For example, theprocessor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a firststate, and then may generate instructions for rendering a firstuser-interface that is associated with the first state. In someembodiments, a user-interface may include an icon field and a statuselement. The icon field may include icons or other representations thatvisually indicate information associated with the cryogenic device 100(e.g., cartridge information, needle probe information, batteryinformation) or a selected cryotherapy program (e.g., information abouta selected cryozone size to be created, a selected number of cycles tobe applied, an icon or label identifying a particular selectedcryotherapy program). The status element may include a textualdescription indicating a current status, a recommendation, or otherrelevant information associated with the cryogenic device 100 (e.g.,cartridge information, needle probe information, battery information,error information) or a selected cryotherapy program (e.g., informationabout a selected cryozone size to be created, a selected number ofcycles to be applied, a name of a particular selected cryotherapyprogram, treatment recommendations).

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate two example standard user-interfaces 400, whichmay be associated with a standard state of the cryogenic device 100.Such a user-interface may be displayed on the display device 150 when itis determined that the cryogenic device 100 is in the standard state.The example standard user-interfaces 400 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4Binclude an icon field 455 and a status element 450. In some embodiments,the standard user-interface may include one or more elements thatindicate a battery status of the cryogenic device 100. For example,referencing the examples in FIGS. 4A-4B, the standard user-interface 400may include an icon or other such representation (e.g., the batteryindicator element 420) that visually indicates a current battery levelof the cryogenic device 100. FIG. 4A depicts a battery indicator element420 when the battery level is at 10%, and FIG. 4B depicts a batteryindicator element 420 when the battery level is at 100%. Alternativelyor additionally, the standard user-interface 400 may include a numericalrepresentation, such as the numerical element 425, that indicates thecurrent battery level (e.g., using a percent, a fraction, a decimal, anabsolute number). In some embodiments, the standard user-interface 400may include one or more probe descriptor elements indicating informationabout the needle probe. For example, referencing FIG. 4A, the standarduser-interface 400 may include a probe descriptor element 410, which maybe an icon or other such representation that may visually indicate thata needle probe 110 may be coupled with (e.g., inserted into) thecryogenic device 100 and may further indicate information about theneedle probe 110 (e.g., visually indicating that the needle probe 110 isa five-needle probe).

FIG. 4A may also include a numerical descriptor (e.g., the number “60”in FIG. 4A) that may indicates an amount of time a cycle is to take(e.g., 60 seconds). In some embodiments, the sub-region of theuser-interface where the probe descriptor elements (e.g., the probedescriptor element 410, the probe descriptor element 440) appear may beblank (alternatively, the probe descriptor elements may appear as dashedoutlines, or as blinking icons) when a needle probe is not coupled tothe cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, the standarduser-interface 400 may include a probe descriptor element 440 that maytextually describe the probe (e.g., “5×9 mm,” describing a five-needleprobe with needles that may be 9 mm in length). In some embodiments, thestandard interface 400 may include a cryogen status indicator. Thecryogen status indicator may indicate an amount of cryogen from acryogen cartridge that has been used or an amount of cryogen (e.g.,usable cryogen) that is remaining in the cryogen cartridge. For example,referencing the examples in FIGS. 4A-4B, the cryogen status indicator430 may be an icon or other such representation that may visuallyindicate an amount of cryogen from a cryogen cartridge that has beenused or an amount of usable cryogen remaining in the cryogen cartridge.As another example (not shown), a cryogen status indicator may be anumerical indicator that numerically indicates an amount of cryogen thathas been used or an amount of usable cryogen (e.g., in absolute values,as a percentage, etc.). In some embodiments, a user-interface mayinclude a cycle counter element that indicates a number of treatmentcycles remaining for a current cryogen cartridge (e.g., in which case,the cycle counter element may count down), or alternatively, a number oftreatment cycles performed with the current cryogen cartridge (e.g., inwhich case, the cycle counter element may count up). For example,referencing FIGS. 4A-4B, the cycle counter element 435 may display thenumber “3” to indicate that three treatment cycles may be remaining fora particular cryogen cartridge (or that three treatment cycles may havebeen performed with the cryogen cartridge). In some embodiments, thecryogen status indicator 430 (and/or the cycle counter element 435) mayappear empty (or e.g., read “0”) and/or flash to indicate that thecryogen cartridge has been depleted or when the cryogen cartridge doesnot have sufficient cryogen for a treatment cycle.

In some embodiments, the standard user-interface 400 may include astatus element. For example, referencing FIG. 4A, the status element 450recommends recharging the battery. As another example, referencing FIG.4B, the status element 450 indicates that the cryogenic device 100 isready to perform a treatment cycle. As another example, if it isdetermined that the cryogenic device 100 is in an incorrect orientationfor performing a treatment, the status element 450 may indicate as muchwith appropriate text (e.g., “Incorrect Orientation”). In someembodiments, the amount of text to be displayed in the status element450 may exceed the number of characters that can reasonably fit withinthe status element at a given time. For example, minimum font sizerequirements or resolution limits of the display may require that thetext content be repetitively scrolled through the status element 450 orbroken into smaller messages that are alternately displayed in sequence.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate two example cycle user-interfaces 500, which maybe associated with a cycle state of the cryogenic device 100. Theexample standard user-interfaces 500 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B includean icon field 555 and a status element 550. In some embodiments, a cycleuser-interface may include an enlarged progress element indicating aprogress of a treatment cycle. For example, referencing FIGS. 5A-5B, theprogress element 560 may be a visual representation of the progress of acurrent treatment cycle that may be in progress. In the illustratedexample, the progress element 560 include a number (e.g., referencingFIGS. 5A-5B, the number “60”) that may be a count-down or count-up timerindicating a number of seconds, minutes, or other suitable measurementof time. For example, an operator may begin a 60-second treatment cyclewith the cryogenic device 100, in which case the example user-interface500 in FIGS. 5A-5B may be presented, with the progress element 560indicating 60 seconds. In this example, the number of the progresselement 560 may the count down from 60 to 0 (e.g., at which point, thetreatment cycle may be finished). Once a treatment cycle has beencompleted, the cycle user-interface 500 may be updated to indicate thatthe treatment cycle has been completed (e.g., via the status element550). Alternatively, once the treatment cycle has been completed, thecycle user-interface 500 may be automatically transitioned to adifferent user-interface (e.g., the standard user-interface 400). Thecount-down or count-up may be alternatively or additionally indicated bya visual representation.

For example, the progress element 560 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B mayinclude a clock hand modeled after a traditional analog timer that movesas the treatment cycle progresses to indicate remaining or elapsed time.As another example, a cycle user-interface 500 may include a linearprogress bar, a circular progress bar, or other similar representationfor visually showing progress of a treatment cycle. In some embodiments,as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the cycle user-interface 500 may also includeother icons or representations showing other relevant information aboutthe cryogenic device 100 or a selected cryotherapy program. For example,the icon field 555 may include a probe descriptor element 510, a batterystatus indicator 520, and a cycle counter element 530. In someembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, these other elements may be ofreduced size relative to the progress element 560 when in the cycleuser-interface 500. Displaying particular elements more prominently thanother may be advantageous because, consistent with the goals of thisdisclosure, the most relevant information may be displayed mostprominently for a given cryogenic device state such that thisinformation is conveyed to the operator most effectively. For example,while a particular treatment cycle is in progress, the most relevantinformation may be the remaining or elapsed time for the particulartreatment cycle. Although the interfaces illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5Bdisplay a progress element corresponding to an entire treatment cycle,this disclosure contemplates that similar interfaces may be shown fordifferent phases of a treatment cycle. For example, an interface mayshow a progress element corresponding to a pre-treatment warming phaseduring a pre-treatment warming period, a progress element correspondingto a cooling phase during a cryogen delivery period, and a progresselement corresponding to a recovery phase during a recovery periodfollowing the cryogen delivery period. In some embodiments, multipleprogress elements for each phase of a treatment cycle may simultaneouslybe shown on a single interface (e.g., three progress elements for eachof the three phases described in the previous example).

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate two example error user-interfaces 600, which maybe associated with an error state of the cryogenic device 100. Theexample standard user-interfaces 600 illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B includean icon field 655 and a status element 650. In some embodiments, anerror user-interface may be similar to a standard user-interface (e.g.,the example standard user-interfaces 400 in FIGS. 4A-4B). For example,referencing FIG. 6A, the error user-interface 600 may include a batterystatus indicator 620, a probe descriptor element 610, a cycle counterelement 630, and a status element 650. As illustrated, the statuselement 650 may include text describing an error and/or recommending anaction to fix an error (e.g., “System Fault: Check Probe”). Additionallyor alternatively, one or more elements in the icon field 655 mayindicate an error. For example, referencing FIG. 6A, the probedescriptor element 610 has a strike-through line running through it,which may indicate that there is a problem with a needle probeconnection (e.g., the needle probe may not be inserted into thecryogenic device 100 all the way). In other embodiments, the erroruser-interface may have an enlarged status element. For example,referencing FIG. 6B, the status element 650 in the error user-interface600 has been enlarged. In this example, enlarging the status element 650makes it more prominent, and also allows it to be used to conveydetailed information for rectifying an error. The status element 650 inFIG. 6B includes an error code (“Error 123”) and a detailedrecommendation for rectifying the error (“Check probe to ensure properconnection”). As illustrated in FIG. 6B, in some embodiments, areduced-size icon field 655 may be displayed (e.g., within a portion orregion 652 of the error user-interface that does not overlap with theportion or region of the error user-interface dedicated to the statuselement 550). In some embodiments, an error user-interface may notinclude an icon field (e.g., the error-user interface may only include alarge status element 650 that takes up the entire display screen oralmost the entire display screen).

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate two example charging user-interfaces 700, whichmay be associated with a charging state of the cryogenic device 100. Asillustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, the charging user-interface may include anicon field 755 and a status element 750. As illustrated, the icon field755 may include an enlarged battery status indicator 720. Also asillustrated, the icon field 755 may include an enlarged numericalrepresentation, such as the numerical element 725, that indicates acurrent battery level (e.g., using a percent, a fraction, a decimal, anabsolute number). The battery status information is featured prominently(e.g., with the battery status indicator 720 and/or the numericalelement 725) in the charging user-interface 700, so that an operator isable to quickly determine what may be the most relevant informationwhile the device is charging—the battery level. The icon field mayinclude icons or other representations that visually indicateinformation associated with the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., cartridgeinformation, needle probe information, battery information) or aselected cryotherapy program (e.g., information about a selectedcryozone size to be created, a selected number of cycles to be applied,and icon or label identifying a particular selected cryotherapyprogram). In some embodiments, the status element 750 may include atextual description indicating a current battery level (e.g., apercentage) or a status (e.g., the statuses “charging” and “charged,” asillustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B).

In some embodiments, one or more elements of user-interfaces may becolor-coded based on the information that they convey. For example, astatus element that is colored green may indicate that the cryogenicdevice 100 is ready and does not require any further attention by theoperator (e.g., when the status element is indicating that the cryogenicdevice is ready for treatment, that battery is charged, etc.). A statuselement that is colored yellow may indicate an alert that requiresattention by the operator (e.g., when the status element is indicatingthat the battery needs to be recharged). A status element that iscolored red may indicate that there is a system fault (e.g., when theneedle probe is faulty, or when battery is so far beneath a threshold ofthe device is not operational). As another example, the battery statusindicator may be color-coded based on the battery level. For example,the battery status indicator may be gray normally, flashing yellow if ina low-battery state, and flashing only an outline of the battery if in adepleted-battery state. As another example, the battery status indicatormay be green normally, yellow if in a low-battery state, and red if in adepleted-battery state. In some embodiments, the entire background maybe color-coded (e.g., green, yellow, and red, similar to the statuselement).

In some embodiments, the user-interfaces may be configured such that thecontents are legible from 20 inches at viewing angles up to 45° and thatlight levels ranging from, for example, 150 to 1500 lux (for an operatorwith vision corrected to 20/20). The display device 150 may be of anysuitable size and quality. For example, the display device 150 may be a1.8-inch screen, with a resolution of 128×160 pixels, and a colorpalette of 4K or 64K colors.

In some embodiments, a processor such as the processor 310 may render aparticular user-interface (e.g., one of the user-interfaces describedherein) for display on the display 150. The display device 150 maydisplay the particular user-interface (e.g., a standard user-interface,a cycle user-interface, a charging user-interface, an erroruser-interface). As is evident from the disclosure, the processor 310may dynamically alter the user-interface that is displayed on thedisplay device 150 based on a determined state of the cryogenic device100 by transitioning between user-interfaces as appropriate.

In some embodiments, the orientation of a particular user-interface thatis being displayed on the display device 150 may be dynamically alteredbased on a determined orientation of the cryogenic device 100. Forexample, as described elsewhere herein, the processor 310 may receivesensor data from an accelerometer and may use this sensor data todetermine an orientation of the cryogenic device 100. The cryogenicdevice 100 may orient a user-interface based on the determinedorientation, e.g., such that the user-interface is always displayed in acorrect orientation. In other embodiments, the orientation ofuser-interfaces displayed on the display device 150 may be fixed, suchthat the user-interfaces always have the same orientation with respectto the display device 150 (irrespective of a determined orientation ofthe cryogenic device 100). This fixed orientation may encourage usage ofthe device in a particular (e.g., optimal) orientation, by indicating toan operator what the “correct” orientation is for using the cryogenicdevice 100. In some embodiments, particular user-interfaces may haveparticular orientations (again, irrespective of the determinedorientation of the cryogenic device 100). For example, the standarduser-interface 400, the cycle user-interface 500, and the erroruser-interface 600 may always be in a first orientation with respect tothe display device 150, while the charging user-interface 700 may alwaysbe in a second orientation (e.g., a 180-degree rotation of the firstorientation). As illustrated by this example, some user-interfaces mayhave optimal orientations that are different from other user-interfaces.This may be due to conditions associated with a cryogenic device statecorresponding to the user-interfaces. Building on the previous example,when the cryogenic device 100 is properly docked onto the chargingdevice 330 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B), the display device 150 maybe in an upside-down orientation as compared to the orientation of thedisplay device 150 during use. Accordingly, by orienting the charginguser-interface 700 differently (e.g., an orientation having a 180-degreerotation from the orientation of other user-interfaces such as thestandard user-interface 400), when an operator views the display device150 as it is being charged, the charging user-interface 700 will be in amanner consistent with the orientation of the cryogenic device 100, sothat the interface appears to be right-side up.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 for displaying a dynamic userinterface on a cryogenic device. The method may begin at step 810, wherea processor associated with the cryogenic device may generate an initialuser-interface for display on a display device associated with thecryogenic device. At step 820, the processor may determine that thecryogenic device is in a first state, wherein the first state is one ofa plurality of cryogenic device states. At step 830, the processor maygenerate, in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in thefirst state, instructions for rendering a first user-interface, whereinthe first user-interface is associated with the first state and is oneof a plurality of user-interfaces. At step 840, a processor may causethe display device to display the first user-interface. Particularembodiments may repeat one or more steps of the method of FIG. 8 , whereappropriate. Although this disclosure describes and illustratesparticular steps of the method of FIG. 8 as occurring in a particularorder, this disclosure contemplates any suitable steps of the method ofFIG. 8 occurring in any suitable order. Moreover, although thisdisclosure describes and illustrates an example method for displaying adynamic user interface on a cryogenic device, including the particularsteps of the method of FIG. 8 , this disclosure contemplates anysuitable method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenicdevice, including any suitable steps, which may include all, some, ornone of the steps of the method of FIG. 8 , where appropriate.Furthermore, although this disclosure describes and illustratesparticular components, devices, or systems carrying out particular stepsof the method of FIG. 8 , this disclosure contemplates any suitablecombination of any suitable components, devices, or systems carrying outany suitable steps of the method of FIG. 8 .

While the exemplary embodiments have been described in some detail forclarity of understanding and by way of example, a number ofmodifications, changes, and adaptations may be implemented and/or willbe obvious to those as skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of using a cryogenic device for coolingnerve tissue for pain treatment, the cryogenic device comprising adynamic user interface and a cryogen pathway configured to conduct acryogen toward a needle probe comprising one or more needles, the methodcomprising: viewing a first user-interface on a display device disposedon a handpiece of the cryogenic device, wherein a processor associatedwith the cryogenic device is configured to: determine that the cryogenicdevice is in a first state, wherein the first state is one of aplurality of cryogenic device states; generate, in response todetermining that the cryogenic device is in the first state,instructions for rendering the first user-interface, wherein the firstuser-interface is associated with the first state and is one of aplurality of user-interfaces, wherein the first user-interface comprisesan icon field indicating information associated with cryotherapytreatment, wherein the icon field comprises a cryogen status iconindicating an amount of usable cryogen for the cryotherapy treatment ina current cryogen cartridge and a probe descriptor icon displayedsimultaneously the cryogen status icon, the probe descriptor iconindicating information about the needle probe for cryotherapy treatment;and cause the display device to display the first user-interface;inserting the needle probe into a skin of a patient; and actuating auser-input button to cause the processor to open a supply valve therebyenabling the cryogen to flow from the cryogen cartridge to the one ormore needles via the cryogen pathway to deliver cryotherapy to a targetnerve tissue for pain treatment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of cryogenic device states comprises: a cycle state, whereinthe cycle state is associated with the cryogenic device preparing for orperforming a particular cryotherapy cycle; a charging state, wherein thecharging state is associated with a battery of the cryogenic devicebeing charged; and the first state associated with the cryogenic devicebeing turned ON and not in the cycling state or the charging state. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of user-interfaces furthercomprise: a cycle user-interface associated with the cycle state,wherein the cycle user-interface comprises an enlarged progress elementindicating a progress of a treatment cycle; and a charginguser-interface associated with the charging state, wherein the charginguser-interface comprises an enlarged battery indicator element.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising viewing the cycle user-interfaceon the display device once the user-input button is actuated, whereinthe processor is configured to dynamically alter the user-interface fromthe first user-interface on the display device to the cycleuser-interface on the display device based on the determined cycle stateof the cryogenic device.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the enlargedprogress element comprises a count-down timer or a count-up timer. 6.The method of claim 3, wherein the cycle user-interface and the firstuser-interface are in a first orientation, and wherein the charginguser-interface is in a second orientation, the first orientation beingdifferent from the second orientation, wherein the first orientationcomprises a 180-degree rotation of the second orientation.
 7. The methodof claim 3, further comprising: receiving data from one or moreaccelerometers of the cryogenic device; determining, based on thereceived data, an orientation of the cryogenic device; and orienting thefirst user-interface in a manner consistent with the determinedorientation of the cryogenic device.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of cryogenic device states comprises an error stateassociated with an error user-interface, wherein the erroruser-interface comprises a first portion comprising an icon indicating aparticular error and a second portion comprising an enlarged statuselement indicating the particular error, wherein the first portion andthe second portion are non-overlapping portions of the erroruser-interface.
 9. A cryogenic device for cooling nerve tissue for paintreatment, the device comprising: a handpiece capable of being held by auser, the handpiece comprising a cryogen pathway configured to conduct acryogen toward a needle probe comprising one or more needles configuredfor insertion into a skin of a patient, wherein the cryogen isconfigured to deliver cryotherapy to a target nerve tissue via the oneor more needles for pain treatment; a display device disposed on thehandpiece configured to dynamically display one of a plurality ofuser-interfaces, the plurality of user-interfaces being associated witha plurality of cryogenic device states; and a processor coupled to thedisplay device, wherein the processor is configured to: determine thatthe cryogenic device is in a first state; generate, in response todetermining that the cryogenic device is in the first state,instructions for rendering a first user-interface, wherein the firstuser-interface is associated with the first state; and cause the displaydevice to display the first user-interface, wherein the firstuser-interface comprises an icon field indicating information associatedwith cryotherapy treatment, wherein the icon field comprises a cryogenstatus icon indicating an amount of usable cryogen for the cryotherapytreatment in a current cryogen cartridge and a probe descriptor icondisplayed simultaneously the cryogen status icon, the probe descriptoricon indicating information about the needle probe for cryotherapytreatment.
 10. The cryogenic device of claim 9, wherein the displaydevice comprises an LCD or OLED screen.
 11. The cryogenic device ofclaim 9, wherein the first user-interface further comprises a statuselement comprising a textual description of a status of the cryogenicdevice.
 12. The cryogenic device of claim 9, wherein the plurality ofcryogenic device states comprises: a cycle state, wherein the cyclestate is associated with the cryogenic device preparing for orperforming a particular cryotherapy cycle; a charging state, wherein thecharging state is associated with a battery of the cryogenic devicebeing charged; and the first state associated with the cryogenic devicebeing turned ON and not in the cycling state or the charging state. 13.The cryogenic device of claim 12, wherein the plurality ofuser-interfaces further comprise: a cycle user-interface associated withthe cycle state, wherein the cycle user-interface comprises an enlargedprogress element indicating a progress of a treatment cycle; and acharging user-interface associated with the charging state, wherein thecharging user-interface comprises an enlarged battery indicator element.14. The cryogenic device of claim 13, wherein the cycle user-interfacefurther comprises a status element.
 15. The cryogenic device of claim13, wherein the enlarged progress element comprises a count-down timeror a count-up timer.
 16. The cryogenic device of claim 13, wherein thecycle user-interface and the first user-interface are in a firstorientation, and wherein the charging user-interface is in a secondorientation, the first orientation being different from the secondorientation, wherein the first orientation comprises a 180-degreerotation of the second orientation.
 17. The cryogenic device of claim13, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive data fromone or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device; determine, based onthe received data, an orientation of the cryogenic device; and orientthe first user-interface in a manner consistent with the orientation ofthe cryogenic device.
 18. The cryogenic device of claim 9, wherein theplurality of cryogenic device states comprises an error state associatedwith an error user-interface, wherein the error user-interface comprisesa first portion comprising an icon indicating a particular error and asecond portion comprising an enlarged status element indicating theparticular error, wherein the first portion and the second portion arenon-overlapping portions of the error user-interface.
 19. The cryogenicdevice of claim 9, wherein the cryogen status icon further includes acycle counter element thereon indicating a number of cryotherapytreatment cycles remaining or performed for the cryotherapy treatment.20. The cryogenic device of claim 9, wherein the probe descriptor iconblinks when the needle probe is not coupled to the handpiece of thecryogenic device.